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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ40

Portability
80
Imaging
61
Features
88
Overall
71
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 front
Portability
67
Imaging
45
Features
35
Overall
41

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ40 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
  • Launched October 2019
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M5 II
  • Renewed by OM System OM-5
Panasonic LZ40
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 22-924mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 524g - 126 x 87 x 94mm
  • Announced January 2014
  • Previous Model is Panasonic LZ30
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ40 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic LZ40, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-M5 III (20MP) and the LZ40 (20MP) is pretty well matched but the E-M5 III (Four Thirds) and LZ40 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The E-M5 III was unveiled 5 years after the LZ40 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the E-M5 III scores vs the LZ40 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Panasonic LZ40

 E-M5 III LZ40 
AnnouncedOctober 2019January 2014Newer by 71 months
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k460kSharper screen (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ40 over the Olympus E-M5 III

 LZ40 E-M5 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic LZ40

 E-M5 III LZ40 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ40 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M5 III has physical dimensions of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") and a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Panasonic LZ40 has sizing of 126mm x 87mm x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") with a weight of 524 grams (1.16 lbs).

See the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic LZ40 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the E-M5 III vs the LZ40.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ40 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 III and LZ40 is 80 and 67 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ40 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reading through a spec sheet. The picture here will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 III and LZ40.

As you can see, both of those cameras posses the exact same MP albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The E-M5 III has got the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallower depth of field less difficult. The younger E-M5 III will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ40 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Portrait photography with Panasonic LZ40
76
focusing manually
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
40
megapixel count good (20MP)
supports face detection autofocus
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Street photography advice
Panasonic LZ40 Street photography advice
83
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
supports touch to focus
environment proofing
good ISO range (25,600)
45
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than competition (524g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Sports photography with Panasonic LZ40
75
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high frames per second (30.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
not so great battery life (310 CIPA)
47
incredible zoom range (22-924mm 42.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Travel photography features
Panasonic LZ40 Travel photography features
77
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
supports touch to focus
MP count decent (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
not so great battery life (310 CIPA)
55
megapixel count good (20MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (22mm)
great reach (924mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (524g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Landscape photography details
Panasonic LZ40 Landscape photography details
77
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
not so great battery life (310 CIPA)
44
relatively wide (22mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic LZ40 as a Vlogging camera
84
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
good video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
comes with microphone jack
27
relatively wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
comes with external microphone socket
slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
more heavy than competition (524 grams)
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic LZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic LZ40
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
Category Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2019-10-17 2014-01-06
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII -
Sensor type MOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 5152 x 3864
Maximum native ISO 25600 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 121 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 22-924mm (42.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.0-6.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1500 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 30.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.80 m
Flash options Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 414 grams (0.91 pounds) 524 grams (1.16 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 126 x 87 x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 310 images 320 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $1,199 $219